Irving / TX. (di) Darling Ingredients Inc. reported net income of USD 81.2 million, or USD 0.50 per diluted share for first quarter of 2024, compared to net income of USD 185.8 million, or USD 1.14 per diluted share, for first quarter of 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a sharp year-over-year decline in fat prices and lower earnings within Diamond Green Diesel (DGD). The company also reported net sales of USD 1.4 billion for the first quarter of 2024, compared with net sales of USD 1.8 billion for the same period a year ago, reflecting lower finished product pricing.
«For several years, we have enjoyed tailwinds from a demand-driven global economy and strong global commodity and specialty ingredient prices. We are now adapting to the new reality of abundant global supplies. This is a cycle we have seen many times, and we are making the necessary adjustments in our procurement process and lowering our operating costs where feasible to gain back our margin leverage,» said Randall C. Stuewe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. «Globally we are seeing very nice progress and improvement in April for our core specialty ingredient business, and DGD has finally worked through its higher-priced feedstock pipeline. We anticipate an improved performance for the rest of the year.»
Combined adjusted Ebitda for the first quarter 2024 was USD 280.1 million, including the impact of a USD 25 million out-of-period inventory adjustment in the Food segment, compared to USD 418.4 million for the same period in 2023.
DGD sold 331.5 million gallons of renewable diesel for the first quarter 2024 at an average of USD 0.69 per gallon Ebitda, including a USD 21.6 million lower of cost-or-market valuation adjustment. Excluding the LCM valuation adjustment, DGD Ebitda per gallon would be USD 0.76.
As of March 30, 2024, Darling Ingredients had USD 145.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, and USD 811.1 million available under its committed revolving credit agreement. Total debt outstanding as of March 30, 2024, was USD 4.5 billion. The projected leverage ratio as measured by the company’s bank covenant was 3.71X as of March 30, 2024. Capital expenditures were USD 93.8 million for the first quarter 2024.
Company guidance for fiscal year 2024 is USD 1.3 to 1.4 billion combined adjusted Ebitda.
